Elgin city manager to retire

March 04, 2009

Elgin City Manager Olufemi Folarin announced today he will retire to spend time with his wife of nearly 40 years and golf.

In a special meeting, Folarin, 64, who has worked for the city more than 20 years and served as city manger for the last four, said he would take advantage of an early retirement plan and retire June 30.

City officials named assistant city manager Sean Stegall as Folarin's replacement.

"It definitely has been quite a delight to serve the citizens of Elgin," Folarin said. "The leadership of the city council and cooperation and commitment to service the city employees have, made it possible for me to be part of a great organization."

Folarin said in his 20 years he has seen the city recreate its downtown, attract new commercial and residential developments, and a growth explosion in the far west.

Folarin said he is confident the city staff and the council will continue to work together and stay strong in moving forward with the progression of the city and overcome all challenges that lie ahead.

"The experience of working with the people I work with is what will stay with me," he said.

Officials may formerly appoint Stegall at the next city council meeting on March 18. He would officially take his new job July 1.

"It is exciting [to be named city manager]," said Stegall, 36. "On the other hand I wont' be able to work with Femi on a daily basis anymore. I've been very blessed to have worked with the city manager. This community has given more to me than I have given."

Mayor Ed Schock said Folarin brought stability to the city manager's office.

"We were seeing incredible growth and he worked hard at extending city services," Schock said. He was instrumental in the revitalization of the downtown and moved to the front burner the city's efforts to improve economic development."

For his wife, Phyllis Folarin, who retired three years ago from Elgin-based Consolidated School District U-46, she is looking forward to spending time and traveling with her husband.

"We are best friends," she said after the announcement. "We do everything together. It is like getting my buddy back."